The Queen gives Brexit bill royal assent paving the way for PM to trigger Article 50.

The Prime Minister is free to officially notify the EU that the UK intends to leave after the Queen granted the Brexit bill royal assent. Officially known as the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, it passed the Parliamentary process following votes in the Commons and Lords on Monday. It has now become law meaning Theresa May will now decide when to invoke the two-year negotiation period for Britain to leave the EU.Downing Street has suggested this is not likely until the last week of March.

It is not possible to calculate. I cannot quantify that in detail yet. I may well do in about a years’ time.

Brexit minister David Davis, speaking about the economic impact of ‘No Deal’ with the EU

Royal assent was declared to both Houses by their Speakers and has now become an Act of Parliament. The bill’s passing into law follows a difficult day for the Government in which ministers were accused of “driving towards a cliff-edge with a blindfold on”.Brexit Secretary David Davis was forced to admit his department has not made an assessment of the economic implications of failure to secure an agreement with the rest of the EU. His admission was despite the Prime Minister repeatedly saying she thinks no deal is better than a bad deal.

Politics